Photoshop batch processing of actions – Video Tutorial

Post Author: Max Stanworth

This tutorial will show you how to use batch processing with Photoshop actions and more specifically how to create an action to crop and resize images using batch processing in Photoshop.

Batch processing allows you to apply an action to a large group of images all at once so there is no need to open each image by hand and apply the action Photoshop can do it all for you.

Before you do this tutorial you may want to look at my actions tutorial

Video Tutorial

[Feed readers please visit post for video tutorial]

Text Tutorial

These Images and text support the video Tutorial

Step 1 – The Action

Go to Window > Actions or use keyboard shortcut ( Alt + F9 )

Make your action that you want to batch process I made a video tutorial about creating actions you can watch that to refresh your memory, and I briefly show you in the current video how to create an action.

Step 2 – Batch Processing

Once you have your action go to File > Automate > Batch this will take you to a screen where you can change certain options as in the next step.

Step 3 – Batch Processing Screen

Play: Set – Select the folder from the dropdown list where you created your action

Play: Action – Select action from the dropdown you want to perform.

Source: Folder > Choose the folder where all you images are. i would highly recommend you make a copy of this folder as a backup just in case you make a mistake and you cant get your images back.

Destination: Folder > Choose the folder where you want to save all your images once the action has been performed.

File Naming: [document name] will keep the current file name in lower case and + [extension] will add the file extension such as jpg, gif, bmp

Click Ok when you have the correct settings and this will start the processing.

Step 4 – The Output

When the processing is finished you can check your files by going to your destination folder this should have your processed files in. Your source folder should have you original files, they should be exactly the same and should not have had the action applied to them.

Conclusion

You can probably see how batch processing can save you a lot more time using actions that you have created, if you are applying an action to a whole group of images you may want to test it on a few of the images to make sure that you get the desired results for each of the images.

Batch processing can be used for a whole host of different things maybe you need to re-colour a group of images or add a certain border to them, the possibilities are endless.

Comments

Do you use batch processing? What do you use batch processing for? Let me know in the comments below.

Author of this post: Max Stanworth

Iam the creator and editor of Design Shard, I created this blog to post my inspirations, work and free resources that I hope others find interesting too you can also follow me on twitter @designshard. See all posts by: Max Stanworth

Related Posts

• Photoshop Actions – Creating Folder Structures for Web Designs – Tutorial

• Create a stunning grunge background – A video Tutorial

• 12 Top Quality Photoshop Light Effect Tutorials

• Highlight WordPress Category when on a Single Post: Tutorial

9 Comments (Leave a Comment)

1. Salim Reza Newton

   June 3, 2012

   This is simply awesome, wonderful. Feeling so grateful. Thanks a lot buddy.

   Reply
2. Chad Wilson

   August 11, 2010

   This post is very helpful. Using batch processing on Photoshop saves time and effort of saving and resizing large number of files.

   Reply
3. K

   June 23, 2010

   Thank you!!! Just what I’m looking for. My problem is that I’m working with jpgs and as each image is processed, the dialogue box comes up that I have to click “ok”. Is there a way around this, or should I first save the images in another format?
   Again, Thanks. The step-by-step images were extremely helpful!
   K

   Reply
4. Patricia D. Newberry

   June 14, 2010

   i like your blog and article.thanks and bookmark it

   Reply
5. Florinio

   November 9, 2009

   Fantastic post! love your blog

   Reply
6. Kathleen Zarske

   December 31, 2008

   This was great! I have long wanted to know how this was done and initially thought a script was used….

   Love your accent! Very entertaining….

   Reply
7. rizal

   December 8, 2008

   hai there…
   thanks for the tips…
   but i found some problem at here…
   my internet connection is too low…
   i can see the full tutorial…
   would you like to give me the direct link so that i can download it…
   —
   i understand may be you are protecting your article from the copycats…
   but may be you can avoid it with adding your site name on your video tutorial…
   —
   oh yeah one one more from me…
   your site is so beautiful…
   i love it…
   —
   thanks before….

   Reply
8. Blake

   December 8, 2008

   Just bookmarked it. Definitely going to come in handy.

   Blake´s latest blog post..T-Shirt Blog Linkup

   Reply
9. J

   December 6, 2008

   Hey, great post. Thanks.

   “Do you use batch processing? What do you use batch processing for? Let me know in the comments below.”

   Yeah, I’ve used batch processing for a while now, and usually use it for simple things like saving and resizing a large number of files. Or, changing certain features like shadow and tonal characteristics. I also do the odd bit of product shot creation for people who need eBook covers created for their products. For this, I use eCoverSuiteElite. It ‘s ebook cover software which converts the flat images that I design into 3D. It just makes the whole process faster.

   Thanks again,
   J

   Reply